By Honorary Reporter Nasim Gerami from Iran
Photos = Nasim Gerami

The residence of Ambassador to Iran Kim Jun-pyo in Tehran on March 13 displayed an exhibition of handcrafted art, with each piece interpreting the new year celebrations of both countries. I was proud that one of the event's 30 selected pieces was mine.

Haft Seen (left), a table setup for the Iranian New Year Nowruz, and that for Seollal (Lunar New Year

A Haft Seen table featuring seven symbolic items for Nowruz (Iranian New Year) was alongside a Seollal (Lunar New Year) table adorned with Korean delicacies.

The evening began with an iftar (breaking fast) meal featuring traditional Korean snacks. I had my first taste of yakgwa (honey cookies) and yugwa (sweet rice puffs), two snacks served during Seollal.

Ambassador Kim and his wife both wore Hanbok (traditional clothing) to the ceremony. His opening speech emphasized strengthening bilateral ties and he offered Nowruz wishes in Persian.

Ambassador to Iran Kim Jun-pyo and his wife cut the cake. 

Artists later presented their works, explaining their techniques and inspirations. My contribution was a copper plate etching depicting a Korean woman in Hanbok alongside an Iranian woman with Nowruz symbols.

The celebration continued with a cake featuring New Year's motifs of both countries. A Korean feast followed including pajeon (green onion pancake), kimchi jeon (pancake), kkochi jeon (pancake skewers), tteokbokki (spicy rice cake), fishcake, kimchi, kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), japchae (stir-fried glass noodles with vegetables) and tteokguk (rice cake soup), many of which I tried for the first time.

The evening culminated in an awards ceremony where five artists including myself received recognition from Ambassador Kim, his wife and Kim Jong-oh, cultural attache of the Korean Embassy in Tehran. All participants received gifts for their contributions to this cultural exchange.

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.